Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

Nothing like starting the New Year with a bowl of wrath! The 18th Century Puritan divine, Jonathan Edwards, is probably best known for this sermon which vividly paints God's righteous anger at humanity for their sin. Fire and brimstone are keywords in this sermon and it has served as a template for lesser lights.

I think it is unfortunate that this sermon is what most people today know of Edwards. Other aspects of his theology are more amenable to contemporary tastes. His descriptions of nature and beauty are almost mystical. He was also a panentheist before panentheism was cool (and way more orthodox than the likes of Matthew Fox).

But this sermon is worth reading. From a literary standpoint, I think it is brilliantly constructed. While show more I don't like the tone of the sermon (especially as it draws to a close), I appreciate the main theological point, that there is nothing holding back God's righteous judgement on us, but his Sovereign pleasure and that a day of reckoning is sure.

I remember George Marsden making a comment in his Edwards biography that the gospel remedy was well known across Protestant New England, but that people needed to be moved to seek it. This means that I can appreciate this sermon for its time and the effect it had, used by God, to help usher in the first Great Awakening in America. show less

It's really interesting how he interprets all of creation being subjected to futility unwillingly. Like even the earth is tired of holding us up, tired of being forced to participate in our rebellion against its Master. As humanity continues to insult a gracious creator, what can awaken our stony hearts? What can help us feel the urgency of Jesus's call to live? This sermon, Lord willing!

I decided to re-read Sinners In The Hands Of an Angry God to see whether it mentioned anything at all about God's great love and mercy. Not really. There's hint of that near the end, finally a revelation of Jesus Christ; but generally, you can't learn much about God's love from this sermon, only the truth that hell awaits unrepentant sinners and may take them at any time--but for God's restraining hand.

Is this a stereotypical fire-and-brimstone sermon? Yes and no. On one hand of course it is, it's all about hell. On the other hand no, not necessarily. It doesn't seem designed to be shouted at people.

This is a little pocketbook sermon Edwards preached in Enfield, Massachusetts in 1741. From the back cover: “With this marvelous sermon, Jonathan Edwards changed history and helped spark a spiritual awakening … Historians recognize Edwards as one of the most brilliant men of all times.”

The torments of hell are vividly described, but according to the book, “Throughout the sermon Edwards demonstrates the utmost compassion for the lost.” See if you can locate the compassion in this quotation from the sermon:

The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked; his wrath toward you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of show more nothing else, but to be cast into the fire.

I’m speechless. What can I say? My generic rating of three stars reflects an utter refusal to grade the sermon.

One minister on the platform pulled on Jonathan’s coat and cried, “Mr. Edwards! Is not God merciful?” Yet the results were remarkable. People cried aloud and grasped the back of the pews lest the ground open up and swallow them alive into hell. Others fainted, wept uncontrollably or quivered like a leaf in the wind.

Gimme that old time religion.

(The text of the sermon may be read here: http://www.biblebb.com/files/edwards/je-sinners.htm ) show less

This book is composed of a number of sermons by the great preacher Jonathan Edwards. It is worth reading for the famous "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" sermon alone as it will definitely convict, challenge and hopefully inspire. There is also a shorter sermon on Use of Time which is very practical. I found the rest of the sermons hard going...obviously they are Biblical but repetitious in places and very long. I would recommend this for theology students or as a reference book rather than for reading cover to cover.

Recommended reading for all Christians.

onathan Edwards' sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" narrated by Max McLean will take your breathe away. This is the pure, unadulterated, hard hitting Truth that, once heard, simply cannot leave you as you were before you heard it.

This sermon is regarded by many as the most famous sermon ever delivered. Written by (or perhaps through) one of the greatest American Theologians. It begins with the Word from Deuteronomy 32:35 '..their foot shall slide in due time', and with these words, the Truth is released upon the hearer without restraint.This sermon ends with this warning:

"Therefore, let every one that is out of Christ, now awake and fly from the wrath to come. The wrath of Almighty God is now undoubtedly hanging over a great show more part of this congregation: Let every one fly out of Sodom: "aste and escape for your lives, look not behind you, escape to the mountain, lest you be consumed."

If you are a Christian, take heed that though you may have escaped the fate of the 'sinner' described in this book, there are those in your life that have not. I was moved to pray for those that I love that have not chosen the path of escape freely given and available to all - salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.

If you are not a Christian, take heed. This book foretells your future.

The text of this sermon is in the public domain and is easily accessible. I recommend reading from the Christian Classic Ethereal Library. This sermon, whether written as shown here or spoken as delivered in this audio book, should be read at least once in your life.

Special Bonus
At the time of this post, The Listener's Bible site is offering a FREE download of this sermon. show less

Wow, this man sure hated all humanity. I do hope for all his obsession with hell, he’s now burning in it.